Roman's POV
"The winner of the draw is the Alpha of Stormhowl Pack, Alpha Kael and his four sworn mate brothers."
The moment I heard it, I can't tell how happy I was, like I own the entire world now.
Around us, I could feel the tension ripple from the crowd—Alphas from the other territories, desperate and burning with envy.
If not for the strict rule that bound all present to respect the auction's outcome, the hall might have descended into chaos. To be precise, no one dared move against the result—because no one dared to move against us.
The Stormhowl Pack.
The most powerful pack that even the most savage Alpha thought twice before crossing.
As the announcement settled, the other bidders began to vacate their seats in bitter silence, swallowing their defeat with clenched jaws and shadowed eyes.
We didn't care. Let them glare.
If anything, I was ready to uncork a bottle of wine and shout to the world: I can finally have a mate, a child, and a complete family with my other four sworn mate brothers. My most cherished dream was coming to be true finally with this she-wolf we just won in the auction.
But, I can't say the same about the other four, who were sitting in the chairs next to me around the circular table as if nothing special had happened. They never wanted a mate or to bring any woman into our home. The incident six years back, when that girl betrayed, hurt, and ruined their lives, left them hating the thought of having a woman in life, let alone mate.
If not for the reasons that forced us to get a pureblood she-wolf, they wouldn't be here anymore.
Not that they never touched any woman. It was impossible not to do it for always hot-blooded Alphas whose needs for physical desires were unending. They often fucked whores and satisfied their needs, but bringing someone into our home and into our lives to make a part of it was out of the question.
A round-bellied man approached our table, his eyes flickering between awe and apprehension. He bowed slightly as he addressed Kael, his tone carefully measured.
"Congratulations, Alpha Kael."
Kael didn't respond. He didn't need to.
He was the strongest among us, our leader, the official heir to the Stormhowl legacy. Alphas bowed to him, warriors feared him, and enemies never lived long enough to speak of him.
Kael sat in his chair with his usual air of arrogance, dark eyes always cold and calm. His strong and tall build looked even more intimidating in a perfectly fitted black shirt and pants. The top few buttons undone, revealing a glimpse of hardened muscle beneath. His sleeves were rolled to his elbows, baring arms corded with strength, veins running thick like rivers of power beneath his skin.
The round-bellied man offered a tight, practiced smile. "The she-wolf has been escorted to the rear exit hallway, Alpha Kael. You may retrieve her from there."
In simpler terms, our package was ready for pickup. All that remained was the payment.
Unbothered, Kael turned to me with his usual commanding calm. "Handle it. Let's leave."
Managing finances had always been my responsibility—one I didn't mind. Without delay, I reached for the sleek black office bag at my side and retrieved the thick checkbook.
As I began scrawling out the amount—twenty billion—a mocking scoff came from beside me.
Lucian.
"One whore with a used cunt, and we're paying twenty billion just to breed a pup? Apparently, we've got money to throw away on trash."
"Trash or not, you can still fuck her," Jason added, his tone cold and amused. "Or better yet, maybe I can test my latest torture techniques on her. See how far a pureblood female can last before she breaks."
"Sure," Lucian smirked. "That might actually make this waste of money feel worthwhile."
Lucian and Jason were brothers. Lucian's parents adopted orphaned Jason when he was a pup. Though not blood-related, both were close to each other like real brothers, like two peas in one pod.
At the same time, both were the strongest warriors in the pack, known for their cruelty—not just against enemies, but even against those who ended up offending them.
I shot them both a glare. We hadn't even brought her home yet, and they were already fantasizing about breaking her. For God's sake, we needed her alive and safe, at least until she gave us pups. And here they were, treating her like some toy to be torn apart.
Assholes.
"If we're done here, I'm leaving," Rafe muttered, standing up from his chair. He was the youngest among us—and the one who least cared about the she-wolf or what she represented.
Rafe was different.
A hybrid. Half-werewolf, half-vampire. The red ring around his light brown eyes glowed—that signified he was craving blood.
His bloodlust was insatiable. Nothing seemed to satisfy him for long. He could feed off any one of us, but even our blood had started to bore him.
Dangerous. Restless. Cold.
That was Rafe.
And right now, I don't know what would happen when that she-wolf met the five of us… especially Rafe.
I just hope he doesn't drain her dry and kill her.
When he loses control, no one—not even Kael—can stop him.
"It's done," I said, handing the check to the round-bellied man.
But before he could utter a word of thanks, another man came rushing toward him, his face pale with panic. He leaned in and whispered something urgently into the man's ear.
I nearly scoffed aloud.
Idiots. We're werewolves—our hearing is sharper than any whisper. What was the point of whispering right in front of us?
The man's expression shifted instantly. Anxiety flickered across his face as he turned back to us, beads of sweat forming along his temple.
"Alpha Kael… how about you wait here for a moment?" he said nervously. "We'll bring the she-wolf to you."
He was trying to keep calm, but it was too late. He knew if this deal fell apart, he'd be a dead man—and this whole building would be in ruins. No one dares to mess the Stormhowl Pack.
Kael didn't even bother responding to him. His gaze turned to the panicked man beside him.
"Take us to where she escaped from."